Hezbollah calls US Senate bill to block its financing a 'new crime'

BEIRUT – Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group has condemned a bill approved by the Senate to block its financing, describing it as "a new crime by American institutions against our people and nation."

Hezbollah said in a statement Monday that the American "aggression" the group is facing is the price for "resisting all evil projects against our holy places, rights, nations and people."

Last week, the U.S. Senate approved a bill led by New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Florida Republican Marco Rubio to block financing to Hezbollah and limit its access to logistical support.

The bill aims to sanction international financial institutions that knowingly engage in business with Hezbollah and its enablers. It also identifies the organization's satellite and Internet providers, which support its television network Al-Manar.